PROBLEM: Work and personal stress had impact on client’s well-being

SOLUTION: CBT helped client learn positive coping techniques

Observing Craig’s prolonged period of work-related and personal stress, as well as his low well-being score in their one-to-one meeting, Craig’s manager suggested that he contact his EAP. Craig contacted the EAP straight away and had a 30 minute triage session where he was assured he would be contacted by a counsellor within the week. A week later he was receiving the first of six counselling sessions using CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) – a therapy that can help individuals manage their problems by changing the way they think and behave.

Craig could no longer see the difference between rational and irrational thinking, and it was likely that he wouldn’t have been able to remain at work or function in an effective way. He and the counsellor met every week to review what had gone well and what still needed work. Counselling gave him the time to reflect upon his thought processes and develop the right tools to make some positive changes. Afterwards Craig reported that he was in a much more positive place and had a happier frame of mind. He felt that CBT had given him the tools to adapt and use in future periods of stress, thus reducing the likelihood of further prolonged periods of stress or depression. He said that CBT had opened his eyes to the fact that every day has stresses, sometimes bigger than others, and it is learning to react differently to these stresses which will maintain a more positive mental health.